Exclusive
Taine Plumtree: 'I couldn't blame them for saying 'Who the hell is this guy?'
The back-row had a rollercoaster start to life in Welsh rugby but is raring to prove his worth on his return from injury.
Owain Jones
17 Apr 2024, 10:49
Contributors
Owain Jones
@OwainJTJones
Owain has been writing and editing about rugby since 2004. He has edited matchday programmes for the WRU, publications for the British & Irish Lions and written for the Guinness Pro14. A regular voice on BBC Radio Wales, from 2011 to 2018, he was the editor of Rugby World Magazine. He has been writing for RugbyPass since 2019.
Opinion
Frustrated Wales yearn to lose the plucky losers tag
Dafydd Jenkins wasn't comforted by Wales' courageous performance and knows his side will be judged on results soon enough
Owain Jones
12 Feb 2024, 5:03
Opinion
Unlikely Welsh resurgence offers hope for trek to Twickenham
After a horror show in the first-half, an inexperienced Welsh side showed ambition to give Scotland the fright of their lives
Owain Jones
05 Feb 2024, 3:16
Exclusive
Aaron Wainwright: 'It might sound weird, but I’m glad I was dropped. It ignited a fire in my belly'
The rejuvenated Wales backrow relives his journey from outcast to standout, and the World Cup hurt that still lingers
Owain Jones
15 Dec 2023, 5:40
Exclusive
Dewi Lake: 'One thing will make the Welsh public feel more positive about the game: winning'
The Ospreys and Wales hooker talks about close friend Jac Morgan, the art of leadership and why some players don't get the praise …
Owain Jones
07 Dec 2023, 11:38
Opinion
The 2023 Rugby World Cup team of the tournament
There were outstanding individual performances over seven weeks and 48 matches but some players put in Herculean shifts
Owain Jones
29 Oct 2023, 7:36
Jake White: Springboks have sent crude message to All Blacks
Now we’ve had a few days to reflect on that narrowest of victories against England, you have to ask yourself this question. Was …
Owain Jones
27 Oct 2023, 4:10
Opinion
Wales leave World Cup with regrets but with their 'heads held high'
Warren Gatland has made huge strides with his Welsh side but a semi-final berth was beyond them as Argentina emerged victorious
Owain Jones
15 Oct 2023, 7:07
Opinion
Wales fly into the quarters and deserve credit
Warren Gatland's men are short on admirers but they have already surpassed expectations in reaching the knock-out stages
Owain Jones
08 Oct 2023, 7:07
Opinion
Warren Gatland turns Wales into unlikely World Cup contenders
The celebrated coach has used all his years of experience to resurrect Wales and turn them into a side capable of an upset
Owain Jones
25 Sep 2023, 16:25
Opinion
Wales score the perfect ten but problems persist
Warren Gatland's second team did little to push forward their merits for inclusion against the Wallabies with an error-strewn perf…
Owain Jones
17 Sep 2023, 14:35
Interview
Emerging nations primed to smash the glass ceiling in France
The challenges of the Pacific Islands nations, as well as Chile, Georgia, Uruguay, Namibia and Romania are acute but help is at ha…
Owain Jones
08 Sep 2023, 5:23
Opinion
Warren Gatland's expected 33-man squad for the World Cup
After a dispiriting loss to South Africa, Wales need to find a squad capable of exceeding expectations in France
Owain Jones
20 Aug 2023, 2:52
Exclusive
Cadan Murley: 'Scoring tries is about confidence'
In the mix for an England squad spot, the in-form Harlequins wing is desperate to propel the squad to World Cup glory
Owain Jones
21 Jul 2023, 14:57
Opinion
London Irish's expected collapse leaves Premiership Rugby reeling
The dismantling of a third storied club in eight months paints a sorry tale of a domestic league that has spiralled out of control
Owain Jones
07 Jun 2023, 5:37
Analysis
Saracens back on their perch to continue the dynasty
Despite spirited resistance from Sale Sharks, few members of the Twickenham crowd doubted Mark McCall's men would wrestle back the…
Garry Doyle Jamie Lyall Owain Jones
29 May 2023, 10:18
Exclusive
Akker van der Merwe: 'Yes, I stutter, but it’s not who I am. It doesn’t define me. It doesn’t own me.'
Akker van der Merwe has overcome mental and physical obstacles to stand on the cusp of a 'career high' with Sale Sharks
Owain Jones
26 May 2023, 13:15
Opinion
La Rochelle complete the modern-day miracle
It's been a challenging season in rugby but the Heineken Cup final showed the game can reach parts few other sports can on a breat…
Garry Doyle Jamie Lyall Owain Jones
22 May 2023, 7:20
Analysis
Sale Sharks show true Northern pride
George Ford inspires Sale to reach their first Premiership final in 17 years and despite facing Saracens, they will have nothing t…
Garry Doyle Owain Jones
15 May 2023, 7:23
Exclusive
Angus Gardner: 'No more rugby. No more contact sports. You may as well take up fishing.'
The Australian referee will be one of 12 referees at the World Cup and his journey has been far from conventional
Owain Jones
10 May 2023, 8:14
